Meet the Athlete: CMR’s Katie Huisman

Katie Huisman is a senior catcher on the C.M. Russell High softball team, which will try to defend its state championship Thursday when the Class AA state tournament gets underway at Multi-Sports Complex in Great Falls. The Rustlers are 20-1 and Huisman, headed to Carroll College to play softball, is batting .385 on the season, driving in 20 runs and connecting on four doubles.

Q: What’s it like catching for Tristin Achenbach?

A: It’s fun. I’ve caught for her for a long time, actually. We play on the same summer team, but she’s always great. She’s always happy and keeping the team up.

Q: She doesn’t make very many mistakes. Do you have to be on your toes? What’s your thought process back there?

A: She’s pretty good about hitting her pitches. But I always have to be ready, just because her ball moves a lot. I definitely have to be on my toes.

Q: What’s her best pitch?

A: I don’t know. She has a few good ones (smiles).

Q: She’s kind of known for her power. Do you notice that?

A: Yeah, I do. All of her pitches bring a lot of speed, so that helps us a lot.

Q: What about you? How do you think this year has gone for you?

A: Pretty good. I’ve been having a lot of fun and that’s really all I could ask for in my senior year. It’s a great team to end with.

Q: How has this season turned out for the team and what are your expectations for this week?

A: It’s gone well. We do have high expectations, but we’re just trying to take it game by game and stay really focused.

Q: There are a couple CMR players on the Carroll team, right?

A: Yeah, Courtney’s (Schroeder) there, and I’ve played with her forever. It’ll be fun to be back with her, with her pitching to me again. (Former Rustler Kaydee Parsons will be a senior.)

Q: Why did you pick Carroll?

A: I’ve met the team a few times, and they are just so friendly and welcoming. And I think they are a very competitive program. (She is interested in pre-medicine.)

Q: Have you always been a catcher?

A: Yes.

Q: When did you start playing?

A: I have played since I was about eight and always been a catcher, yeah.

Q: What drew you to that spot?

A: When I joined my summer team, I just asked what they needed and he told me a catcher. And he just kind of taught me how to catch.

Q: That’s one of the more important positions on the field. What do you like about it?

A: I really like seeing the whole field and I get to have the ball a lot, so that’s fun for me being in the play every time.

Q: There’s obviously the possibility of two state titles to finish out your career. Is that in the back of your mind?

A: We’re trying not to think about it, but it is a thought. That’s the goal, but we just have to go game by game.

Q: Why has your team had so much success this season?

A: I think we have a really great coaching staff, and I think a lot of the girls on the team have played together forever, so we really click as a team.

Q: What do you think about when you look back on your career?

A: I think it went by really fast. As it’s drawing to an end, it’s kind of sad. It’s bittersweet. I’m ready to go, but there’s so many good memories.

Q: What’s the one that sticks out?

A: Definitely winning state last year in softball.

Q: In what areas have you improved as a player?

A: I think I’ve really been working on my hitting over the years, and I do think I’ve gotten better every year. I’m just trying to get a base hit every time is the biggest goal.

Q: Well, good luck this week and at Carroll.

A: Thank you.